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Action against lobbyists needed: NSW Labor

Toby Mann

Just hours into his new job as NSW premier, Mike Baird has been asked by his opposite to detail a plan to "tackle the toxic culture" of backroom players and their proximity to politics.

Mr Baird has also been hit with questions about his appointment of Liberal lobbyist and fundraiser Nick Di Girolamo to the board of Sydney Water in mid 2012, a lucrative taxpayer-funded gig.

Mr Di Girolamo has featured significantly in the most recent Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry.

His gift of a $3000 bottle of 1959 Grange led to Barry O'Farrell resigning as premier this week after misleading the corruption watchdog about whether he had received it.

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Responding to Opposition Leader John Robertson's call on Friday to "come clean and explain" Mr Di Girolamo's appointment to the Sydney Water board, Mr Baird sought to distance himself.

"There was an independent panel that put together some recommendations, spoke about the suitability of candidates, that candidate has gone to cabinet and that cabinet has made the full decision," he said on the Manly foreshore during his first day as premier.

He says he understands why the questions are being asked.

"Was that decision right? In hindsight, clearly not. Did people know what was transpiring? No, they didn't," he said.

Mr Baird said he would "certainly" undertake reforms relating to donations and lobbyists while in office, before taking a swipe at Mr Robertson and his party.

"If you want to be serious about reforms, take a look at your own side," he said.

But when asked what action his government would take, Mr Baird had only a vague answer.

The electorate, he said, "had spoken on donations and lobbyists" and it was critical to retain their trust.

"I believe the community has strong trust in the government and the actions it has taken over its three years but we need enhance it," he said.

"We will be responding."

Mr Baird will spend Easter compiling a cabinet he says won't be structured to placate factions.

The new premier, who as treasurer supported the sale of the state's $30 billion "poles and wires" electricity infrastructure, said decisions to liquidate government assets would be "done with a mandate".

But Mr Robertson said selling poles and wires would be bad for consumers.

"If Mike Baird proceeds to sell poles and wires it will be a disaster for NSW, a disaster for those families who've already seen power prices rise on average by $650 a year in just three years under this Liberal government."